Rights of Way for Contractors & Developers

Eversource has a long history of working with contractors /developers who have shown interest in making use of lands subject to utility rights.

It is extremely important to understand that as a regulated utility Eversource is obliged to insure any proposed joint uses of the land must meet the certain criteria including, without limitation, the following:

The proposed use must be a category of use Eversource has historically (or by special evaluation) found to be compatible with our rights within the property.

The proposed use must also be configured in a manner that does not hinder or restrict in any way Eversource's access to, or future use of, the property.

The use must at all times meet all applicable safety codes, federal, state and local building codes.

In order to most efficiently ensure that these criteria are satisfied, it is necessary the contractor/developer or engineer involves Eversource early in a project’s planning phases. An early partnering will greatly reduce the likelihood that project/utility incompatibilities may force potentially costly delays.

It is also important to note that municipal approval of a project site subject to pre-existing utility rights does not equal acceptance by Eversource. Fully permitted projects can and have resulted in construction found incompatible with Eversource rights, resulting in increased project costs.

Contact Us to determine if your proposed project is a compatible use / activity within Eversource's ROW.

Safety Considerations for Construction Within Rights of Way

As a utility company safety is always a paramount concern. Construction activities within gas or electrical rights of way must be conducted with a particular emphasis on safety by maintaining compliance with all applicable safety codes, including, but not limited to, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Electric Safety Code and applicable pipeline safety laws and codes.

Contractors working within utility rights of way must operate based on their level of OSHA certification, which defines the minimum working clearances they must maintain between any equipment, load, or operator and the particular utility present. Depending on project configuration and site conditions, it may be necessary for the developer or contractor to contact the utility to determine the voltage level of overhead distribution and transmission lines, in order to maintain appropriate OSHA working setbacks from wires.

Requirements to contact “Dig Safe” or “Call Before You Dig” are mandatory regardless of whether or not a utility right of way is obvious within or near the work site.

Each person or entity accessing this site expressly acknowledges and agrees to the following:

Nothing within this webpage/link/etc. shall constitute a waiver by Eversource or any of its operating companies or other subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively, “Eversource”) of any of its rights under any law and/or under any easement, deed, permits, license or lease or contract. Moreover, nothing herein shall amend or vitiate in any way any such right or rights.”

These materials have been prepared by Eversource for informational purposes only. Eversource assumes no liability for its contents. Moreover, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained on this website, link and/or pages herein, any user hereof acknowledges and agrees that ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND WARRANTIES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY OF INFORMATIONAL CONTENT, OR THAT WHICH ARISE OR MAY ARISE FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, LAW, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED BY EVERSOURCE.